Mountainside Novelist Retreat
November 10, 2024—November 13, 2024
1 Ridgecrest Dr.
Black Mountain, NC
A Hands-on Experience for Novelists
Call 1-800-588-7222 to Register Today!
Plan to join us November 10 - 13, 2024 for the next Mountainside Novelist Retreat at Ridgecrest!
Storytelling is the ancient art of entertaining others with a powerful story. What better way to move farther along your publishing journey than at a novelist retreat in the mountains? This event will equip writers through workshops and private meetings around all aspects of being a novelist—from improving the craft of writing to valuable tips for marketing and launching a book. Through a variety of classes geared specifically for novelists, this event will help focus on building strengths from challenges. The Novelist retreat is ONLY open to fiction writers: from those with a fiction manuscript in progress, to those with multiple novels published. Join us at the Ridgecrest Conference Center in Black Mountain, NC for hours of hard work, spiritual renewal, and building a career as a novelist.
The Premise
This event will be a retreat to equip novelists—from those with an in-progress novel to those with multiple books. Featured Instructors include best-selling novelist Kara Swanson, along with other industry professionals soon to be announced. During these four days writers can expect:
- classroom instruction time including:
- the craft of writing
- book launches
- organization
- social media & marketing
- private writing time
- meetings with editors, agents and industry professionals
Details
- Program Fee: $275.00 per person
- Accommodations: $109.00 per room, per night for Mountain Laurel West, $119.00 per room, per night for Mountain Laurel East
- Meals: $129.00 per person, (includes 9 meals starting Sunday dinner through Wednesday lunch)
The Schedule (just an outline, specifics updated soon!)
Sunday
1:00 – 3:00 p.m. Registration
3:15 – 3:30 Opening
3:45 – 4:00 Icebreaker
4:15 – 5:15 Class:
- TBA
5:30 – 6:30 Supper
7:00 – 8:15 Panel Discussion – working with a publishing house
- TBA
Monday
7:15 – 8:15 Breakfast
8:30 – 8:50 Announcements & Devotion
9:00 – 10:15 Class:
- TBA
10:30 – 11:45 Class:
- TBA
12:00 – 1:00 Lunch
1:00 – 2:30 Private Writing Time and/or Brainstorming
1:00 – 2:00 Round Table Discussions
- TBA
2:45 – 3:45 Class:
- TBA
4:00 – 5:00 Class:
- TBA
5:30 – 6:30 Supper
7:00 – 8:15 Keynote – Kara Swanson
Tuesday
7:15 – 8:15 Breakfast
8:30 – 8:50 Announcements & Devotion
9:00 – 10:15 Class:
- TBA
10:30 – 11:45
- TBA
12:00 – 1:00 Lunch
1:00 – 2:30 Private Writing Time and/or Brainstorming
1:00 – 2:00 Round Table Discussions
- TBA
2:45 – 3:45 Class:
- TBA
4:00 – 5:00 Class:
- TBA
5:30 – 6:30 Supper
7:00 – 8:15 Class:
- TBA
Wednesday
7:15 – 8:15 Breakfast
8:30 – 8:50 Announcements & Devotional
9:00 – 9:30 Pack Your Car
9:45 – 11:00 Closing Keynote – Kara Swanson
11:15 – 11:45 Final Faculty Q & A
12:00 – 1:00 Lunch
Meet the Leaders
Edie Melson
Director/Author/Social Media Expert
Edie Melson is a woman of faith with ink-stained fingers experiencing life through the lens of her camera. No matter whether she’s talking about faith, writing, or social media, her first advice is always “Find your voice, live your story.” Her reputation as an online expert is well-deserved. Her blog reaches thousands and has been on the Writer’s Digest Top 101 Sites for Writers since 2017. In her role as social media coach she’s worked with clients that range from authors and speakers to business and ministry leaders. Her bestselling eBook on this subject, has been updated, expanded and re-released with co-author DiAnn Mills as Social Media for Today’s Writer. She’s the director of the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference, board member of the Advanced Writers and Speakers Association, and author of numerous books. She’s quick to remind those she meets about the practical and personal applications of God’s infinite love. Visit her online at www.EdieMelson.com
Edwina Perkins
Co-director/Publisher Harambee Press
Edwina Perkins is an award-winning writer, experienced teacher, speaker, and free-lance editor. She served on the Word Weavers Orlando Leadership Team and now is a part of the Word Weavers International Advisory Committee. She worked as a content editor with Lighthouse Publishing of the Carolinas and is currently the Managing Editor for Harambee Press—LPC’s ethnic voices imprint which seeks to publish ethnic writers.
She is a wife, mother of four adult children, grandmother of two, and owner of a 16-year-old bichon poodle mix who believes the world revolves around him.
Kara Swanson
Keynote, Best-selling Author
Kara Swanson writes stories about fairytales and fiery souls. She spent her childhood a little like a Lost Girl, running barefoot through lush green jungles which inspired her award-winning Peter Pan retellings, DUST and SHADOW.
She is also the co-founder of the Author Conservatory (authorconservatory.com) where she has the honor of teaching young writers to craft sustainable author careers.
You’ll find Kara with her toes in California sand as a SoCal resident, belting Broadway show tunes on weekend drives to Disneyland with her delightfully-nerdy husband, or chatting about magic and mayhem on Instagram (@karaswansonauthor).